The Simpsons: Springfield's Location Revealed?

Matt Groening reveals (kind of) just what part of America Springfield is located in...

By Eric Goldman

It's been a longtime mystery to fans of The Simpsons (and one the writers have had some fun with in various episodes): Just where exactly is Springfield located?

Now, in a new interview, the show's creator, Matt Groening, has finally answered that question… maybe.

Asked about the generic nature of the name Springfield, Groening tells Smithsonian Magazine, "Springfield was named after Springfield, Oregon. The only reason is that when I was a kid, the TV show Father Knows Best took place in the town of Springfield, and I was thrilled because I imagined that it was the town next to Portland, my hometown. When I grew up, I realized it was just a fictitious name. I also figured out that Springfield was one of the most common names for a city in the U.S. In anticipation of the success of the show, I thought, 'This will be cool; everyone will think it's their Springfield.' And they do."

"Where ARE we?"

So no, Groening doesn't quite say "The Simpsons is set in Oregon,' but as the Smithsonian Magazine notes, this is the first time, after 23 seasons, that he's even revealed the specific inspiration for the name. And it could be argued that Groening is implying that, to him, The Simpson' Springfield is in Oregon when he explains his reasoning for not getting specific prior to this point. "I don't want to ruin it for people, you know? Whenever people say it's Springfield, Ohio, or Springfield, Massachusetts, or Springfield, wherever, I always go, 'Yup, that's right.'"